R2-D2 is certainly one of the most beloved characters in cinema history, let alone Star Wars.  He is instantly recognizable by almost anyone on the planet.  But unfortunately, R2-D2 action figures are generally met with very little fanfare.  I haven’t counted, but R2 probably has more action figures than almost any other character, except maybe Vader.  As such, it’s not generally cause for celebration when another R2 is released.  Hasbro has done well over the years trying to give us something a little different each time, whether it be with accessories, gadgets, battle damage, or paint applications.  Everything from leg jets to oil spatter to mini holograms have been included with R2 over the years to give us some variety in a figure based on a character that essentially has no wardrobe changes.  This figure doesn’t actually give us anything new, but it is a marked improvement over it’s predecessor that represented the only time this “scene-specific” R2 was created in the past.

This figure is based on the one that came with the Early Bird Kit.  The main difference is that the removable panel has been resculpted to give us the restraining bolt that was attached by the jawas.  At issue, the removable panel is no longer a removable panel.  It’s now a non-removable panel.  That’s too bad, because it limits the displayability of this particular version of R2-D2.  In fact, when you apply the included electric short accessory over R2’s dome, you know have a completely screen inaccurate droid.  The jawa’s blasted R2 as he was rolling along on Tatooine.  The resulting blast effect was dissipated and long gone by the time the Jawas had carried the “unconscious” droid back to their sandcrawler.  The jawas were proud of their sandcrawler, because it wasn’t a HEINOUSLY PAINTED BOOTLEG BY DISNEY.  Anyway, the jawas affixed the restraining bolt after the capture.  So, technically, once you apply the electric effect, you’ve invalidated the figure completely and shall be kicked out of the club in shame.  At no point was R2 undergoing electrocution while also wearing the restraining bolt.  Hasbro could have easily avoided this debacle by having the panel remain removable as originally designed, and then just included a swappable panel sans restraining bolt.  This, of course, would have been preferable to a removable bolt, because not only would it leave a hole behind in R2’s body, but the piece would be so insanely small as to rival the maniacally tiny pieces (not one, but two!!) that came with the TVC Scanning Crew set.  To that prospect, I quote Signourney Weaver’s epic and legendary since-dubbed line from Galaxy Quest.

The droid has a nice sculpt, and nice paint applications all around, including the dirty wash that covers R2 with some Tatooine stuff.  There is a removable third leg, which probably makes some collectors happy, and others annoyed.  I’m not a fan of the extending radar feature on the dome.  First of all, R2-D2 didn’t use the radar while on Tatooine.  We didn’t even know he had one until 3 years later.  Secondly, it’s tough to have the dome turn without activating the radar.  Thirdly, and particularly since it’s not even necessary, it also affects the dome’s aesthetic, as the piece is clearly visible as a separate part. The electricity effect fits nicely over R2’s head, but it would also have been nice if it was a little larger to help cover parts of the body, since it was not restricted to just the dome area after the jawa shot.

It’s another R2-D2, but it’s an important one because it has the restraining bolt.  It would have been so much better if the panel could be switched out for one without the bolt, and a larger electric blast would also be welcome.  It’s not a perfect R2, but it definitely is a big step forward when compared to the POTF2 Electronic FX R2-D2, which I believe may be the only other version with the bolt.  Editor’s Note: As pointed out by Paul B in the comments, there was also the 2000 Commtech R2-D2, which was cool for the time, and also included an excellent holographic Leia).  I’ll give this a 7, because a couple of simple tweaks could have made it almost perfect.

It seems Hasbro is already moving forward with an(other) R2-D2 for TVC next year.  Most people think it’s a repaint of one of the recent “5POA” R2-D2’s, either the single carded TLJ version, or the 2-pack from Solo (currently available on Entertainment Earth).  That said, this specific version could stand the above mentioned tweaks, or perhaps even just including a removable panel with the restraining bolt as part of some kind of ultimate R2-D2 some day. 

Build-A-Droid 

R2-D2 (First Release) contains the head and third leg for the astromech R3-A2.  This droid can be spotted in Echo Base.  Specifically, it was in the background just before Major Bren Derlin had to inform Princess Leia that the blast doors needed to close for the night, with Luke still outside.  Source:  Empire Strikes Back.

OR

R2-D2 (Carry Forward) contains the right leg of BG-J38.  This worker drone droid served as Jabba the Hutt’s personal dejarik and hologames droid.  Source:  Return of the Jedi